this and that

Dear readers, sometimes life just does take us so far afield from where we have it all planned out in our calendars. I've been away from here for nearly a week. *Sigh*.

We've had snow for days up here on the ridge. Yesterday morning I was tidying up after breakfast and snapped this picture of the view over our kitchen sink. It reminded me of a very lovely piece in a very lovely book, Being Home, a book of meditations by Gunilla Norris. Doing the dishes is one of my favorites. Norris has authored many small books on meditation, complete with simple photos to accompany each piece. Perhaps your local library can find you a copy or two.

My Bernina is back from the spa and we've spent some good time together, working on being productive. Yes, the view does sometimes distract us from our work, but that's OK.

I've caught up on all the block of the month squares that are available so far. I do like things better now that I've added the aqua and more turquoise. Can't wait for our VTMQG meeting this Sunday when we'll all share our blocks. I love seeing how each person interprets the blocks differently. We're also staying on for a sew-in, to finish up our community quilt. I'll take pics!

The sun is setting later each day. Doesn't it feel hopeful? This was the view out to the west late this afternoon. Snow and sun and clouds and the mountains, all roiled up together, framed by the twinkle lights strung before the solstice. 

Have you been keeping up with the Kooser poems? Each day I am reminded of why I love this man's poetry. Each day a gem. Each day an exquisite choice of words. 

Today I am celebrating! My right knee was replaced in December, 2006 and my left was replaced January 10, 2007, 12 years ago today. We sure have had a lot of fun together, and I'm looking forward to plenty more ahead. Batman may have superpowers, but I am bionic in my own right! :-)

Here's a sneak peek at a little something I'm cooking up for next week. There's a special milestone on the calendar and I want to mark it with a giveaway...